anyone else worried about debt?

[CircadianRhythm]

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My family is very apprehensive about the debt of DO schools. I was aiming for PCOM as its closed to home and saw the projected cost as over $70K per year. I will have 40-50k of loans from undergrad alone. My mom is a physician and she flat out doesnt think its worth it and is pushing PA. Im going to apply to my state MD school but its competitive so Im trying to be realistic. With grade replacement Im much more competitive for DO.

I really want to be PCP. I'm a fulltime EMT right now and would prefer to try and prevent disease then treat it once its out of control. People have said the debt isnt worth it for primary care and to just pursue PA/NP, but then you miss out on the training a formal residency provides. I can't really see myself in one of the high paying specialties, of course that could change but there were several generations of generalist physicians in my family including my mother and thats how I always envisoned practicing medicine.

Thoughts? Is DO debt worth the training for primary care?

 

[umfc7181]

If your from pa which is what Im assuming you can always apply for lecom they have some of the cheapest tuition rates. I go to PCOM for what it's worth feel free to PM me with any questions

 

[dorothyntoto]

There are other threads about this very topic.

PAs earn considerably less for their lower cost... You will be fine, even if you want to go into primary care. I have a FM friend making over 300k... You will be fine. Do NOT go to PA school unless you want to be a PA it isn't the same, and your mother should know that.

 

[67552931811]

My family is very apprehensive about the debt of DO schools. I was aiming for PCOM as its closed to home and saw the projected cost as over $70K per year. I will have 40-50k of loans from undergrad alone. My mom is a physician and she flat out doesnt think its worth it and is pushing PA. Im going to apply to my state MD school but its competitive so Im trying to be realistic. With grade replacement Im much more competitive for DO.

I really want to be PCP. I'm a fulltime EMT right now and would prefer to try and prevent disease then treat it once its out of control. People have said the debt isnt worth it for primary care and to just pursue PA/NP, but then you miss out on the training a formal residency provides. I can't really see myself in one of the high paying specialties, of course that could change but there were several generations of generalist physicians in my family including my mother and thats how I always envisoned practicing medicine.

Thoughts? Is DO debt worth the training for primary care?

Live frugally as an attending for 5 years and you can crush 350-400K debt quite easily (even if you are in a "low" paying speciality).

 

[GypsyHummus]

I am!

 

[jqueb29]

nope

 

[AlteredScale]

Signing the master promissory note stating that I must pay back all loans kind of increases my worry about it. What're you going to do though..there's no other way of paying for medical education.

There are specific payment methods that allow for loan forgiveness such as the Primary Care Loan. There's also another one that's similar if you decide on PC later on during medical school.

 

[bcurtis]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned loan forgiveness and scholarships for primary care.

If your positive on primary care, look into NHSC scholarships and federal forgiveness programs for unserved primary care. I think it's "give a year get a year" kinda thing.

 

[cabinbuilder]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned loan forgiveness and scholarships for primary care.

If your positive on primary care, look into NHSC scholarships and federal forgiveness programs for unserved primary care. I think it's "give a year get a year" kinda thing.

Harder to get than you think. I tried for 3 years to get NHSC and finally gave up. Underserved generally are places you would want your family to live. Depends on what is important to you.

My student loans as of today:
Accounts Serviced by Great Lakes$185,979.92Total Balance

Getting there.........

 

[CircadianRhythm]

There are other threads about this very topic.

PAs earn considerably less for their lower cost... You will be fine, even if you want to go into primary care. I have a FM friend making over 300k... You will be fine. Do NOT go to PA school unless you want to be a PA it isn't the same, and your mother should know that.

I think her thought process is that I'm not passionate about medicine so PA is easier. But I dont think its true as I clearly see the value in being residency trained and want that for myself. I don't particularly care about the salary differences between the two but I like the regulated manner in which physicians are trained.

 

[dorothyntoto]

I think her thought process is that I'm not passionate about medicine so PA is easier. But I dont think its true as I clearly see the value in being residency trained and want that for myself. I don't particularly care about the salary differences between the two but I like the regulated manner in which physicians are trained.

Whoooooaaaaaaa
Back the truck up...
Wtf? Why are you even going into any of this if you aren't passionate about it?
I think you need to very carefully read what is being said in this thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/regret-switching-to-medicine.1121877/#post-16237724

If you're going to go into something for money, this ain't the job... I don't know what your reasoning is, but if it isn't for love of medicine, it's probably the wrong reason.

 

[dreday710]

Terrified. But I'm going to do it because going the military route does not feel right for me and I have specific career goals. Everyone tells me to live on 40-50k for four years after you get out of residency, and it works out. That seems like a very little bit of money for the work - but my heart wants to be a physician, so I have to listen.

 

[CircadianRhythm]

Whoooooaaaaaaa
Back the truck up...
Wtf? Why are you even going into any of this if you aren't passionate about it?
I think you need to very carefully read what is being said in this thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/regret-switching-to-medicine.1121877/#post-16237724

If you're going to go into something for money, this ain't the job... I don't know what your reasoning is, but if it isn't for love of medicine, it's probably the wrong reason.

What I mean is that my mother does not think I am passionate about it but I know that I am.My mom was always a high performing student who knew since childhood she wanted to be a doc like her father. I think because I did not decide until I was a young adult that she thinks its a fleeting thought. I work fulltime on an ambulance as an EMT to support myself through school. I cannot see myself doing anything but treat patients. I assure you my desire is not because of $$ as I want to be a PCP in the inner city environment where I currently work. Not exactly lucrative. I think I'd make more money overall as an air traffic controller or CRNA. Both do not interest me.

 

[IncuriousGeorge]

What I mean is that my mother does not think I am passionate about it but I know that I am.My mom was always a high performing student who knew since childhood she wanted to be a doc like her father. I think because I did not decide until I was a young adult that she thinks its a fleeting thought. I work fulltime on an ambulance as an EMT to support myself through school. I cannot see myself doing anything but treat patients. I assure you my desire is not because of $$ as I want to be a PCP in the inner city environment where I currently work. Not exactly lucrative. I think I'd make more money overall as an air traffic controller or CRNA. Both do not interest me.

Some people either don't read or can't read...

 

[JeBrAs]

Yes it is absolutely terrifying know how much in loans I will have to pull out. But it leads to a career that should allow you to pay off your debt within 10 years and then allow you to live quite comfortably afterward. This should be less terrifying than pulling out a bunch of loans for college. College no longer can guarantee that you will get a job that will allow you to pay off your loans within 10 years post graduation. Yes the stakes are higher by going into medicine, but the outcomes are by far more fruitful.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

I think your dilemma isnt about the cost. It sounds like to me this is a DO/MD debate. If you were going to a MD school for primary care you will still have the same debt if not more. Do you or your mom think that a MD program is worth the cost over a DO school? PCOM and LECOM are great schools and will give you good training for primary care. If you want to be a physician the debt is a reality. You are not the only one with debt.

 

[GypsyHummus]

I think your dilemma isnt about the cost. It sounds like to me this is a DO/MD debate. If you were going to a MD school for primary care you will still have the same debt if not more. Do you or your mom think that a MD program is worth the cost over a DO school? PCOM and LECOM are great schools and will give you good training for primary care. If you want to be a physician the debt is a reality. You are not the only one with debt.

Well, it is and it isn't influenced somewhat by MD/DO debate, but not in the way you think. More or less, if you are going to a DO school, it will be private as opposed to state supported, and that can range from 45K-55K depending on the school. Tuition at a state school is much more reasonable, which state supported medical schools are usually MD.

LECOM is the exception to this trend. I calculated it out, and it would make sense from a financial perspective that if I wanted to, wait out a year to try and get into my state's MD program. Now, I won't do that because I want to go to DO school, but the debt is a little crazy at some of these places.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

Well, it is and it isn't influenced somewhat by MD/DO debate, but not in the way you think. More or less, if you are going to a DO school, it will be private as opposed to state supported, and that can range from 45K-55K depending on the school. Tuition at a state school is much more reasonable, which state supported medical schools are usually MD.

LECOM is the exception to this trend. I calculated it out, and it would make sense from a financial perspective that if I wanted to, wait out a year to try and get into my state's MD program. Now, I won't do that because I want to go to DO school, but the debt is a little crazy at some of these places.

I was replying to OP...i am confused by your response